Working Together to Provide Safe Care to Residents in Long-Term Care

Long-Term Care Task Force Delivers First Progress Report

TORONTO, Jan. 30, 2013 /CNW/ - The Long-Term Care Task Force on Resident
Care and Safety has issued its first semi-annual progress report. The
Task Force was established by the sector in November 2011 to respond to
media reports and public concern about incidents of abuse and neglect
in long-term care homes and an underreporting of these incidents.
Following a period of consultation, the Task Force issued a report in
May 2012 that recommended 18 actions to improve the safety of residents
in long-term care homes in Ontario.

This first progress report highlights the foundational work undertaken
by the Task Force to establish desired outcomes for each of the 18
actions. While it is still early days, the Task Force is pleased that
there has been progress on the eleven sector-led actions and the six
actions being led by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
(MOHLTC). The final action charged the Task Force with overseeing
implementation of the actions over a three-year period and reporting
publicly on progress every six months.

Highlights include initial work on an educational strategy for residents
and families; the launch of a Safe Care campaign for long-term care
homes; training for LTC leaders on supporting staff in the use of
capacity building tools to support quality care; and, targeted
investments by the MOHLTC to support the recruitment and specialized
training of LTC staff and to support improved resident care and safety
overall.

These developments mark a good beginning in the sector's collaborative
approach to improving resident care and safety in Ontario's long-term
care homes.

Quotes:

"We have established open and clear communication processes to support
our planning, co-ordination and decision-making to ensure that the
public and stakeholders are kept informed of new developments that will
contribute to the delivery of safe care for residents living in
long-term care homes," said Donna Rubin, CEO, Ontario Association of
Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors.

"This first progress report demonstrates the Task Force's commitment to
monitoring the progress of the Action Plan over the next three years,"
said Phyllis Hymmen, Concerned Friends of Ontario Citizens in Care
Facilities. "We have created a unique and comprehensive partnership of
Ontario long-term care stakeholders, and this augurs well for resident
care and safety in Ontario's long-term care homes," Hymmen added.

"What sets the task force, and thus our approach to implementation,
apart is that we all (Task Force members) have ownership of the final
report, and an equal role to play in its implementation, working with
the MOHLTC," said Candace Chartier, CEO, Ontario Long Term Care
Association.

"The Task Force recognizes that education will help drive and support
culture change but there is also much that we can learn within
long-term care homes," said Donna Fairley, Executive Director, Ontario
Association of Residents' Councils. "It is important we all listen to
the voices of residents and families - they have a lot to contribute to
our shared learning about resident care," added Fairley.

"Our goal is to implement actions that support the prevention of
incidents of abuse and neglect in long-term care homes - and while it
is early days we are confident that, by working together with a
system-driven approach we can improve the care and safety of residents
in long term care," said Lorraine Purdon, Coordinator, Ontario Family
Councils' Program.

"I am encouraged by the progress the sector has made to implement the
recommendations of their Task Force. My ministry has been working
closely with task force members, and I am proud of the actions and
recent investments the ministry has made to further support long term
care homes, and staff to improve the care and safety of residents,"
said Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.